About

Langham Wine Estate

Vision

As winegrowers, we pride ourselves in crafting terroir-driven sparkling wines using grapes only grown on our Dorset vineyard. We take a low-intervention approach to both grape growing and wine production, constantly striving to minimise our environmental impact and produce honest wines that reflect our terroir.

History

At the heart of the Langham Estate sits the magnificent Bingham’s Melcombe manor house, Grade I listed and little changed since the reign of Edward VI. Acquired by John Langham in 1980, Bingham’s Melcombe became the centre point for the Langham Agricultural Enterprise, today comprising over 1,000 hectares.

The Langham vineyard was originally established by John Langham on a very small scale. In 2009 John’s son, Justin Langham, decided to develop his father’s rudimental vineyard into a commercial venture, and planted 30 acres of land at their Crawthorne farm.

Vineyard

With a south-facing aspect, chalk soils and a unique microclimate, Crawthorne vineyard provides the perfect terroir for ripening the classic Champagne varieties – Chardonnay, Pinot noir and Pinot meunier. Established hedgerows provide natural wind breaks and habitat for a large variety of beneficial organisms. Growing our own grapes means we can pick at optimum ripeness, free from the shackles of contract purchasing and resulting in a better quality wine.

We are constantly working towards reducing chemical intervention in the vineyard, employing diligent canopy management executed at specific times. By increasing air flow through the canopy and promoting biological control organisms, the effects of disease are kept to a minimum. All our grapes are handpicked, and rigorous vineyard selection ensures only the highest quality grapes arrive at the winery.

Winery

Housed in a characterful old barn, the winery provides the perfect fusion of old and new. With a selection of temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks and used French barriques, we have all the tools required to produce exceptional wines. With the winery located within metres of the vineyard, the grapes that are so carefully nurtured throughout the year are picked and processed within a few hours, avoiding the need to transport the grapes and risk compromising the quality.

People

Daniel Ham, Winemaker

Whilst working as a marine biologist in New Zealand, Daniel developed a taste for fine wine and decided to retrain as a winemaker. Having completed a Viticulture & Oenology degree at Plumpton College, graduating with Distinction and being awarded the Top Student Award, Daniel spent several years gaining valuable experience both in the UK and abroad. Daniel strongly believes that great wines are made in the vineyard and as result likes to split his time between the vineyard and winery.

Justin Langham, Director

Justin has always had a passion for wine, and in 2009 decided to make his dream a reality by planting a 30 acre vineyard site at Crawthorne Farm. Before planting the vineyard, Justin toured many of the world’s most venerable wine regions and studied viticulture at Plumpton College. The combination of these experiences gave Justin the foundations for establishing a world-class wine estate. Despite having numerous other business commitments, you will often find Justin rolling up his sleeves and helping to load the press or drive the tractor.

Freddie

Having lived and worked in France, Spain and the UK, Freddie naturally gained a passion and curiosity for good food and wine. This was deeply embedded whilst training at Ballymaloe Cookery School.

Freddie began working part-time at Langham Wine Estate whilst studying at university, and joined the team full-time in 2017. He enjoys learning about all stages of the creative process and can be found either helping Daniel in the winery, or outside with Ollie and Jarvis in the vineyard.

Caroline

During sixteen years working in London, heading up buying teams, spotting the next trends for some of the best-known retailers on the high street and travelling to far-flung places, Caroline also managed to indulge her passion for wine.

Her move to Dorset, and a five year stint heading up the Retail and Hospitality teams at the National Trust, consolidated her belief in quality products with provenance and brands with stories to tell.

Joining the team at Langham Wine Estate is the perfect opportunity for Caroline to turn her interest in wine in to something more serious and to put her experience in brand development to good use.

Bryony

Bryony joined us in April 2018 to lead our tours and tasting room experience.

After several years in the corporate world, Bryony was looking for the opportunity to return to her roots in the South West.

Happily, Langham Wine Estate gave Bryony the chance to marry-up two of her passions; honest, growing businesses and fine wine (a love of which she has spent a lifetime cultivating!).

You are most likely to find Bryony in our Tasting Room, leading tours and chatting to customers, though with her self-professed curiosity, good-humour and love of the outdoors, she’s just as likely to be getting her hands dirty in the vineyard!

Olly

Olly joined us in June 2018 us from the 55-acre estate at Exton Park where he was Assistant Vineyard Manager.

Olly found a passion for Viticulture and Wine whilst working on a vineyard during a gap year in New Zealand in 2008. On his return to the UK, he studied at Plumpton College for the FdSc in Wine Production, and also spent time working at Wickham Vineyard in Hampshire. Next, he joined the vineyard management consultancy Vine Works where he gained experience on a wide range of terroirs, pruning systems, and different management ideas.

“The importance of making good wine is being part of the growing process, as much as the actual wine making. I love the fact that a small change in a job in the vineyard can affect the flavour of the end product.”